Wicked winter weather hits Brooklyn

All New York City schools are closed Monday because of the worst winter storm to hit Brooklyn in three years.Between 8 and 10 inches of

BROOKLYN - All New York City schools are closed Monday because of the worst winter storm to hit Brooklyn in three years.

Between 8 and 10 inches of snow are expected to fall before the system tapers off Monday afternoon. Temperatures for Monday night should be in the low 20s.

The weather conditions have led to a messy commute for Brooklyn drivers, despite the city sending out about 2,500 sanitation workers to spread salt and plow the streets. According to Mayor Michael Bloomberg, more than 100,000 tons of salt are on hand to be used.

As the wintry mix quickly fell on cars, sidewalks and streets Monday, Brooklyn residents broke out shovels and salt to begin digging out. Drivers also crawled along at reduced speeds.

The winter storm has hit the borough's southern part especially hard. In Sheepshead Bay, residents were braving the frigid weather and slippery conditions Monday.

"Whatever you're doing, it's just very bad. The snow comes down, hits you in the face, hits you in the eye. You can't walk on the sidewalk," says a local mailman. "You can't walk in the street. We can't deliver the mail because we can't climb the steps. It's just awful."

The first snow day in five years in New York City caused math tests to be moved from Monday to Tuesday.